Tesla turns its cars into drivable Atari games consoles

V9.0 update also turns front camera into dash cam

TESLA’S latest software update for its Model S, Model X and Model 3 cars includes the ability to play classic Atari games on the car’s touchscreen infotainment system.

The retro games include cult classics such as Asteroids and Centipede, and can be played when the car is in ‘Park’. Tesla says owners can also use controls on the steering wheel to operate the arcade titles.

Playing the Atari games isn’t as straightforward as it sounds, though. As they’ve been included in the update as “Easter egg” additions, owners need to find them hidden away in the centre console’s menus before they can be played.

In addition to the ability to play a selection of Atari games, the “over-the-air” V9.0 update also adds a more streamlined climate control interface for Model S and X owners, and all Teslas built from August 2017 onwards gain the ability to use the forward-facing camera as a dash cam.

Currently, the V9.0 update is only available in North America. Tesla has confirmed the patch will be rolled out across other territories “in the coming weeks”, meaning the Tesla Model 3 should come with the software already installed when UK deliveries begin in 2019.